Spot machine



Juvly v20, 1943-A I c. sfJAcKsoN ET Al.

SPOT MACHINE Filed June ll, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet l SSX July zo, 1943. n

c. s. .JAcKsoN ET AL SPOT MACHINE Filed June 11, 1940 1o sheetsnet 2 @n v ATTO R N EY July ,20, 1943- c. s.`.1AcKsoN ET AL 2,324,506

l sPoT MACHINE Filed June 11, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 265 y Ma" 5) ATTORNEY July 20 1943- c. s. JAcKsoN ET A1.

SPOT MACHINE Filed June 11, i940 1o sheets-sheer 4 7 /W 1 4@` 3i f e2@ W W ZN- si, .H .2- w v M/ ,w 4 w l l 1 -1 4 u w I- M. 21... l .f nl. l w mw -al WIIWWI.. .wl Wu, D Z.

July 20, 1943. Q s. IACKSQN ET AL 2,324,506

'sPoT MACHINE Filed June 11, 1940, 1o sheets-sheet e 24J- ya /27/ 6'/ maand ATTOR N EY July 20,1943. -c s', JACKSON ErAl. v2,324,506

SPOTi MACHINE s Filed June 11, 1940y .lovshegsfshet 7 ATTORNEY July 20, 1943-` c. s. JACKSON Erm. I 2,324,506

SPOT MACHINE Filed June 11, 1940 1o sheetssheet 8 ATTO R N EY July 20,194,3- c. s. JACKSON ETAL 2,324,506 I sPoT 'MACHINE I Filed June 1l, 1940 10 SheetS--Sheel 9 7i '1;1; lv 79' /M 74 i I |70 @fd ATTORNEY 4 lJuly 20, 1943. I c. s. JACKSON ErAL 2,324,506

SPOT MACHINE ATTORNEY Patented July 20, 1943 sPo'r MACHINE Clarence S. Jackson, Brooklynyand Alexander C. Parlini, Freeport, N. Y., and Eugene Hascher, Newark, N. J., assignors to Peters Bros. Rubber Co., Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 11, 1940, Serial No. 339,898

(ci. 11asm 28 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for applying an interior facing or `spot `to closures of the type having` a metal shell and a cushion liner of composition cork of the like, commonly called crown type closure caps.

`The facing disk or spot is formed of impervious material such as aluminum foil, tinfoil, varnished paper or the like and is used for the purpose of protecting the contents oi the container from the deleterious effects of chemicals in the cork binder as well as'to prevent liquid from penetrating crjacks in the cork liner after cplping and thus reaching the metal of the s e In commercial practice these spots have been fastened to the liners by means of thermoplastic gum or other adhesive material. Thealuminum spot material for `standard crown caps, for eX- ample, is'made from strips or ribbons, the 'back of which has been` coatedwith a thin thermoplastic film suited for the above purpose. The spot is applied by stamping the disk from this strip and then applyingV heat and pressure to cause the thermoplastic ilm to secure theV Spot on the cork liner. f

This standard procedure involves the use of intricate machines known as spot machines which are costly to operate and construct and require constant attention in order. to make the spots adhere to the cork lining with the necesn sary accuracy and permanence, particularly when operated at the high speeds required for commercial operations. c In spite of the best care in operating .procedure `it is difficult to obtain uniformity of product. f For example, in the morning when such a machine is first started up it -is usually Vcold and the spots are not tightly stuck to the cork, whereas in the afternoon, after prolonged usage, the machines tend to |become overheated and the adhesive material may be burned or overcooked and thus lose its adhesiveness. Furthermore the coated spots have a tendency to slide into an off-center position on the liner unless they lare held in position until the adhesive has set.

Another disadvantage in using thermoplastically coated metal foil for'the manufacture4 of spots is that scrap foil' coated with adhesive material brings only about one-third the price of uncoated metal foil in the scrap metal market. Still another very serious objection to relying upon adhesives for securingthe spots as described above is that the adhesive material tends to `lose its adhesion with age, thereby causing the spots to drop off the iinished caps and making it impracticable to store the caps for any prolonged period, This is a disadvantage to cap manufacturers who would prefer to ap# ply the spots to the caps during their dull seasons and to store the nished caps until re" quired by the bottling plants.

It Uis accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved Ina-,c chine for rapidly and efficiently applying spots to crown type caps without `relying upontadf` h'esives for securing the spots in place. Another object is to provide a novel and rimproved appa` ratus for4 applying spots to "caps of the above type, whichV eliminates the various disadvantages inherent in adhesively secured spots.`

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus for securing an uncoated spot to the liner of a crown cap. Still another object is to provide a novel and im` proved machine for securing spots in such a Way that the finished caps may beV stored for indefi-v nite periods without danger of` the spots becomingloose or dropping oli. A further `object is to providea high speed machine of the above type having novel and improved details of con`-4 struction and features of operation Various other objects and advantages will be apparent as `the nature of the invention is more fully disclosed. Y c

In one embodiment of the invention the machine is adaptedl to punch spots from a strip oil` spot material and to position thesame on the cushion liner of a cap of the above type. The spots are secured bymeans of a staple which is cut vfrom a strip of staple material and is `ap'- pliedV while `the spots are held down on the cushion liner by means of a spot plunger.` `The staples are bent and locked by contact with the metal shell of the cap so that the spots are posi-y tively and securely held in pressure engagement with the liner. "A suitable filler may, ifdesired,` be applied to the liner to seal the holes Which may bemade in the spot by the staples, so as to make a completely impervious closure.

v In the form shown herein for purposes of illustration the machine is provided with an oscillating feed comb which feeds the caps step by step, in predetermined spaced relationship, to the op-f erating stations. At the first or ller applying stationthe filler material is applied to the cush-V ion liner intheY position wherethe staple is to` be inserted. At the second or spot applying station the spot is applied to the liner "over the ller `material and the securing staple is inserted. i Y.

The filler material is applied by a transfer wheel carrying a plurality of transfer plungers which are adapted to engage the liners of successive caps at the first station. The plungers wipe against the surface of a roller which rotates in a reservoir of liquid filler material and picks up a surface film thereof. The thickness of the film may be adjusted by a doctor blade or the like which cooperates with the roller.

The transfer wheel is preferably driven step by step, in synchronism with the feed of the caps, so that an individual plunger cooperates with each cap as it reaches the first station.

The transfer wheel and the caps may, however, both feed continuously at the rst station if desired although a step by step feed is essential at the spot applying station.

At the spot applying station a forming die punches the spot from a strip of spot material and applies the same to the cap liner. The die includes an outer annular member which engages the liner at its periphery for centering the cap and holding the same in position, and a plunger which cuts the spot and applies the same to the liner within the outer annular member.

The plunger is provided with an axial channel suited to guide a staple or the like to position for securing the spot. A stapling plunger reciprocates in said channel to feed and drive the staple through the spot and through the liner while the spot is still held down by the die plunger. There is accordingly no opportunity for the spot to slide or shift with respectI to the liner or to wrinkle or dish as the staple is applied.

The staple is so proportioned that the points are bent over by contact with the metal shell, thereby locking the staple in place and holding the spot in pressure engagement with the liner.

Suitable feed means are provided for feeding the spot strip and the staples to the die and stapling plunger respectively. In the form shown the spot strip is fed between a pair of feed rolls which are given a step-by-step movement by a one-Way ball clutch driven by a reciprocating rod. A second one-way ball clutch prevents reverse movement of the feed rolls during the return stroke of the reciprocating rod.

The staples may be formed from a stri-p of staple material.v For this purpose a forming mechanism is associated with the die. The forming mechanism comprises a cutting die adapted to cut the staple p-oints, a plunger adapted to bend the points downwardly and a s'econd cutter to cut the individual staples from the strip. The cut staples are fed by the strip to the channel in the die plunger for application to the caps.

The staple strip may be fed step by step by a pair of reciprocating blocks engaging opposite sides thereof. The blocks are held in pressure engagement with the strip during the feed stroke and are released during the return stroke.

In order to stop the feed of the spot strip and staple strip in the absence of a cap in spotapplying position, avfinger is positioned to be engaged and elevated by a cap in said position. The finger, when released due to absence of a cap, actuates a ball releasemechanism to render the one-way ball drive clutch inoperative, and also releases a latch mechanism which interrupts the drive means for the reciprocating blocks. The feed of the spot and staple strips is thus stopped until a cap is fed into spot receiving position and again elevates the finger.

The die plunger and the staple forming mechanism are all mounted on a single reciprocating head which is driven in synchronism with the cap feed comb. The machine is particularly designed to operate at high speed as required in commercial use. The staples should be made of some material which is inert to the contents of the container and preferably are made of the same material as the spot itself, for example aluminum, so that only a single inert metal is exposed. If the spot is made of varnished paper or other non-metallic material the staples may be formed of aluminum or other inert metal.

An important feature of our machine resides' in the use of means to hold the spot in position while the staple is being applied so that the spots are accurately centered and wrinkling or dishing are prevented. Another feature resides in the use of a iiller to close any slightv opening in the spot which may be made by theY staple. The filler may also exert some adhesivev pended hereto, the invention itself Vmay be bet-V ter understood by referring to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which a specific embodiment thereof has been set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a top plan view of a machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on thel line 2 2 of Fig. 1; v Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view similar to Fig. 2 showing the strip feed mechanism .in inoperative position;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4--4 ofA Fig. 3 showing the drive for the strip spot ma-A Fig. 8 is a. detau section taken on te une Y 8-6 of Fig. '7 showing the construction of lone of the transfer plungers;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. 7 showing the feed. mechanism for the staple strip;

Fig. l0 is an enlarged detail View of theoperating head;

Fig. 11 is a transverse section taken on the line H-II of Fig. 10;

Fig. l2 is a detail view of the die plunger showing the position thereof after the spot has been applied to a cap;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the staple t guide;

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section taken on the line M--M of Fig. 9; Y n Fig.,15 is a section taken on theline I5.-|v of Fig. 9 showing the staple strip clamp;

Fig. 16 is a section taken on Ythe line IG--IS of Fig. 9 showing the staple feed block;

Fig. 17 is a Section taken on the line I'l-l'l of .Fia lflfshowizng :thedetails Iof construction of the stapling iiplunger; v a

Fig-18 ,is a transverse section taken `on the line I8-I8 of Fig. 17.;

Fig. 19 is a section taken on `the .line IgE-EIS Fig. 271s asectien taken on the une 21;:.1

of Fig. 2.

'Inthe following description and in fthe claims certain specic terms are used for convenience in referring to the various details of the invention. These iterms, however, are to be give-n as broad an interpretation vas lthe state of the art will permit. i

Cap feed `mechanism AReferring to the drawings `more iin detail, the

spot machine is shown as comprising a base or frame I carrying a pair of guide rails 2 and l3 (Figs. Y1, 8, 10, 1:4, 2o and 22) provided with channels A and 5, respectively, in which the flanges II!) of lthe shells `II `of the crown caps I3 are adapted to seat. The guide rail '2 maybe supported b-y suitable brackets f6 carried upon the base I. The guide rail 3 `may be supported by .similar brackets, not shown. `Suitable means such as a hopper, not shown, maybe provided for feeding the caps t Ythe guide rails 2 and 3y at 4the right of Fig. l in a position such that they are progressively passed through the machine.

The caps I3 comprise a shell I1 having a cushion liner I2 secured therein in any well known manner as 'by a suitable thermoplastic adhesive. The caps I3 are fed along the guide rails 2 and 3'with the cushion=lineruppermost- "For feeding thehcaps a `feed comb4 "I5 is provided having fingers I-6 adapted to extend between the adjacent caps 'so as to separate and feed fthe vsame in Aa predetermined spaced relations'hip. The comb l5 is mounted `on ya crossbar lI1 (Fig. 20) which is adapted "to slide on arms i8 vcarried by the 'brackets f6. Thecrossbar I1 is actuated by a pair of arms -20 journaledlto pins 23 (Figs. 20, 21 and '22) fastened eccentrically on cam wheels 2| which are mounted upon and driven by shafts 22 ('Fig. '1). 'The shafts 22 are mounted in brackets 24 carriedbyV the frame I'and. areeach provided with a `mitre gear "25 meshing wi-th a corresponding beveled gear 26 carried on and driven by a main Vdriveshafit 21 which extends across 4the `machine and may be driven `by any suitable 4means notshown; The operation of the cam wheels i2I causes the comb l to feed the vcaps 'through the machine with a progressive Astep-'by-step rnovernent-` Transfer mechanism As the caps advance through the machine .a film of a vsuitable gum-my liquid ller is .applied to the cushion liners'IZ 'byt'he transfer .mechansm shown in Figs. 1,2,"1, `19, '20.-and`21fas-.comprising a transfer wheel .39 ,carrying a set of spring-pressed Vtransferplungers 3 I hesefnluneers ,3-I, as shown in ldetail in Fig. .8, each comprise a .head `3,2 secured to a sleeve 33l which is `journaled `vin suitable bores 34 `sin the periphery of the transfer Wheel 430. The plunge ers3I aregnormally forced -outwardly by springs 35 `and are held in position by stops -36 carried on arng 31,:,attachedto `the wheel `3.11 and `engagingzapeiztures formed VVin:thesleeves 33. w The iii-111er is held .in `:areservoir '40 which is suitably attached to V theffrafme I and is provided with a Vcover M which may be hinged thereto by;ahinge pin -42 carried on suitable brackets 43 as shown in Fig. 1. `alarm :or signal may Fbe provided for 'indicating when :the lliquid level :in reservoir 4i! -f-alls below `a predetermined point. This is illustrated in Fig. 19 as comprising a iloatvIMd mounted on an arm which is pivoted to hinge pin 42,. The arm .'45 may carry a` con.- tact '46 which is adapted to bridge a ,pair vof stationarycontacts f4.1 for closingan electric .circuit when the oat 44 falls .to a predetermined level in `.the reservoir .40. The stationary contacts 541 may be mounted on a bracket 48 by any suitable means.

' A roller150 yis mounted on a shaft .5I in position to dirp in the gummy .iller .52 in the reservoir 40 (Figs. '1 and 19). This roller is driven by suitable means such as a pulley 53 attached to the shaft 5I `and driven by a belt 54 (Fig. l) which is actuated by any suitable means -not shown.

The thickness of the film of filler material on the periphery of the roller 50 -is controlled by a doctor blade Eil which is mounted on the reservoir Vby screws 6I extending through Aelongated apertures 62 in said blade (Figs. 1 and 7). The position of the blade lwith respect to the roller is controlled byA an-adjusting screw 63 mounted in a bracket 64 and carrying at its `end a 'head y65 which engages in aslot 66 in said blade. An adjusting 'wheel vI-I is provided for manually controlling said adjusting screw. In operation the position of 'the doctor yblade is adjusted by ma.- nipulating the wheel E1 in accordance with the thickness ,of `lm which Ais to be transferred to the heads 32 `of `the plungers 3|.

The 'transfer wheel .30 is so positioned that the heads 32 of the plungers 3| contact the surface of the roller .5B and pick up a coating of liquid filler material 'which they transfer to the cushion liners `I2 .in the caps as the caps advance past the transfer station. .For this pur-pose the wheel 301s mounted for rotation `on a shaft 10 which is .Journaled .in a bracket 'II attached tothe frame I (Figs. 1, 20 and 21)`. The shaft 10 `carries a star wheel 12 having a plurality of notches 13 adapted tobe engaged by .a dog 14 carriedon an `arml which isjournaled .by ,pin 'I6 .on arm 11. The dog "1,4 is held in position `-in a notch I3 of the star wheel '.'2 by means of a spring 18 which is attached to an ear .1 SI `on the arm 15 and is anchored to .a` projection 8.0 on the arm11 (Figs. 1, 20 and 21). p

The 4arm 11 is journaled .about the shaft 10 and is pivotallyconnected,b37 pin 85 to a link-85. The link ,8.6 is .pivoted to .the crosshead which is slidably mounted for .movement -in the brackets 1I and 9|. The `crosshead 9|) is provided With-a slot 92 in which-one of the'eccentric pins 23` travels.` The latter pin -23 extends beyond the corresponding arm 2l) to `enter the slot 92 in the crosshead 90 for driving the crosshead and the `link -86 attached thereto.

order to lift the dog out of engagement with the notches 13 in the star wheel, a link |00 is provided (Fig. 21) which is pivoted at 0| to the bracket 1| and engages a roller |02 carried by the arm 15. The link is attached by the link |03 to a bell crank lever |04 which is pivoted at to the bracket 9|. lever I 04 carries a pin ||0 engaging a cam slot formed in the cam wheel 2|. The slot is adapted to actuate the link |00 so as to lift the dog 14 out of engagement with the notches 13 of the star wheel 12 during the return stroke but to release the dog and to allow the same to enter a notch 13 during the feed stroke, whereby the star wheel is fed with a step-by-step motion.

The star wheel 12 is designed to rotate the transfer wheel 30 in synchronism with the cap feed mechanism so that successive plungers engage successive caps and apply the desired lm of ller material thereto as the caps are fed past the transfer station.

It will be noted that the ller material is applied only to the center part of the cushion liners I2 of the caps, in a position to close any slight openings which may be made by the passage of the-staples through the spot.

Spot forming die In accordance with our invention the disc spots II5 are punched out of a strip II6 of aluminum foil or the like (Fig. 9) which is fed through the machine from a suitable reel, not shown. In the spot-applying position the cap I3 rests on an anvil ||8 with the cushion liner I2 uppermost for receiving the spot. The strip I I6 passes through an aperture |20 in a die comprising a sleeve |2| having attached thereto an outer die piece I 22 (Figs. 9 and 12).

A plunger |24 having la cutting head |23 is mounted to reciprocate within the sleeve I2| and, in its working stroke, punches out the center spot I I5 from the strip ||6 and positions the same in the cap. The plunger |24 is secured in a split clamp |25 (Figs. 1 and 9) formed on a bracket |26 which is attached to a head |21 (Figs. 2, 3, '7, 9, 10, 26 and 27). The plunger |24 is frictionally held in `the split clamp |25 by bolts |30 (Figs. 1 and 9) and is secured in position by a lock nut |3I threaded into the clamp |25 and held by a set screw |32.

The drive for the head |21 is shown in Figs. 2, 7, 26 and 27. Referring to these figures, the head |21 is shown as provided with sleeve |35 slidable on guide rods |36 which are secured in a bracket |31 attached to the base I. The head |21 carries pins |38 which are secured in a yoke |39, to which a link |40 is pivotally connected by a pin 4|. The link |40 is pivoted, by a pin |42, to an arm |43 whichv is pivoted by a pin |44 to a stationary bracket |45 attached to the frame (Fig. 2). The arm |43 carries a roller |50 which rides ina cam slot I5I in a cam wheel |52 which is xed to the shaft 21.

The sleeve I2| carries crosshead |55 (Figs. 7 and 26). A similar crosshead |56 is carried by the clamp |25. The crosshead |56 carries threaded pins |51 which extend through suitable apertures in the lower crosshe'ad I 55. Springs |58 are carried on the pins |51 between the crossheads |55 and |56 to hold the sleeve I2I downwardly. Locknuts |60, carried on the lower ends of the pins |51, serve as stops and also as supporting means for elevating the sleeve I2I with the head |21 during the upward movement of the head.

. The arrangement is such that during the down- The .bell crank ward working stroke of the head |21 the outer die' piece |22 is rst brought into engagement with the cushion liner I2 of the cap |3. Thereafter further downward movement of the head |21 causes the plunger |24 to slide in the sleeve I2I and to punch out the spot I I5 and to position the same within the outer die piece I 22 on said cushion liner.

Staple strip feed mechanism The spot is secured in the cushion liner by a staple 241 which is formed from a staple strip VI 65 supplied from a suitable reel, not shown. The staple strip feed is shown in Figs. 2, 3, 9, 14, 15 and 16 as comprising a block |66 which is mounted for reciprocating movementJ on rollers |61 and is normally held in retracted position by means of a spring |68 seated in a. bore |69 in said block and bearing against a stationary bracket A roller |13 is carried on an arm |14 pivoted to a stationary bracket |15. The arm |14 carries a projection |18 (Figs. 2 and 3) having a surface |19 adapted to be engaged by a latch |80 which is pivoted on a slide rod |8|. The rod |8| is adapted to slide in stationary brackets |782. The latch I is normally in engagement with the surface |19 as shown in Fig. 2 and is adapted to rock the arm |14 in response to reciprocating movement of the rod |8| The rod I 8| is actuated by a link |85 which is pivoted to an arm |86 (Figs. 2 and 7). The arm |86 is pivoted by afpin |01 to the bracket |45 'and carries at its free end a roller |88 (Fig. 7)

which rides in a cam slotr |89 in a cam wheel |90 which is attached to the cam wheell |52 and is driven therewith by shaft 21. The; block |66 carries a frame |95 (Figs. 9 and 14) in which a block |96 is loosely seated in a position to rest on the strip |65. The block |96 is held against the strip I 65 by means of a roller |91 carried on an arm |98 which is pivoted by a pin |99 to stationary brackets 200. The brackets 200 in addition to supporting the arm |98 serve as guide means for the block |66 and the fram |95. The roller I 91 is normally held in pressure engagement with the block I 96 by means of a spring 20| (Fig. 9) which is seated between the arm |98 and an adjusting screw 203 held in a crossbar 202. The arm |98 is provided with a roller 205 which is adapted to engage a cam surface 204 formed on a cam strip 206 carried by the bracket |26, to cause pivotal movement ofthe arm |98 for retracting the roller |91 for pressure engagement with the block |96. The cam strip 206 may be adjusted by means of anadjusting screw 201 to control the timing of the arm |98 (Fig. 9). The throw of the arm |14 may be adjusted by an adjusting screw.208 which is secured in said arm and bears against a stop 209 carried on the stationary bracket |15 as shown in Fig. 9.

The arrangement of the above-described mechanism is such that on the feed stroke of block |66 the block |96 is held in engagement therewith to clamp the staple strip |65 and to cause the same to be fed forwardly. On the return stroke of the block |66 the roller |91 is brought out of engagement with block |96 thereby releasing pressure on the strip |65 and permitting the blocks |66 and |96 to be retracted without causing reverse movement of the strip.

v During the return stroke of the blocks |66 and |96 the strip |65 is clamped by means of a yoke 2|5 (Figs. 9, 14 and 15) carried by a rod 2|6'and -norm'ally hel'd in clamping position by springs '211 Which-L are anchored to pins 2|8 carried by the bracket |10. The rod 2|6 extends upwardly through the head.l |21 and the bracket |26 and through a loose sleeve 2|9 which rests upon a boss 220 formed on the bracket |26. The rod 216 issecured by locknut 22| which limits the downward` movement thereof, the arrangement being such that upward movement of the head |21 lifts the yoke`2`|5 from engagement with the strip |65 tol permit feed movement of said strip. Down- Ward movement of the head |21, however, permits the yoke 2|5 to clamp said strip against reverse movement whilethe blocks |66 and |96 are being retracted by the vspring |68.

Staple forming and applying mechanism -thenV bent downwardly by a plunger 238 (Figs. 9,

10, 1l, 14 and 17) which is attached by screws 240 to the plunger |24. The staples, after the' points have been bent `downwardly bythe plunger 238, are cut apart by an upper cutting die 245 which is also clamped between `the plunger 238 and the plunger |24 (Fig. 18)" and cooperates with the'forward edge 246 of the lower cutting die 23| for severing individual staples 241. The staples 241, after being severed from strip |65, 4are carried in a staple guide block 250 having channels 25| (Fig. 12)

.adapted to receive the down-turned points 235 of the staples. The block 250 rides loosely in plunger |24 and is held upwardli7 by spring 252 (Fig. 10) whichis seated upon the cutting head V|23 `of the plunger |24. The bl'ock 250 is provided with a shoulder'253 (Fig. 10) which contacts the under surface ofthe lower cutting die 23| for limiting. the movement of said block.

The plunger |24 is provided with a guide channel 260 (Figs. 9-11) through which the staples 241 are fed for' insertion in the disc spots. A stapling plunger 26| is adapted to reciprocate in the channel 260 for driving the staples.

The plunger 26| is carried by the rod 263 (Figs.

1, 2, 7 and 9) to the' upper end of which a pair` o'f links 2'64 are pivotally connected. The links 2.64 are connected to a yoke 265 formed on an arm 266 which is pivot'ed to the bracket |15 (Figs. 2

and 7) The arm 266 is actuated by rod 261 which isf pivoted to an arm- 2'68 as best shown in Fig. 2. The arm 268 is pivoted to a bracket 269 attached tothe frame l and carries a roller 210 which rides in a cam slot 21| formed in a cam disk 212 attached to the shaft 21 (Fig. 7). The stapling plungery 26| is in raised position, as shown in Fig. 9,. during the feeding of the staples. When the spot` has been positioned on the cushion liner |2- of the cap |3 by the downward movement of the head |21 and the associated guide members, as shown in Fig. l0, the staple is driven through the spot ||5 into the cushioniiner |2 by downward movement of the plunger 26|. While the staple is thus being driven the cap I3 rests upon the anvil H8` which backs up the shell and causes thepoints 235 of the staples to be bent over'for loc-king thestaple in position as shown in Fig. 12.

Ain Fig.v 4.V

Spoil strip feed mechanism The spot strip ||`6 is fed to the machine be.- vtween feed rollers 280` and 2.81 (Figs. 1 vto 6,. 23, 24 and 25). The feed" roll'er 281 is driven by a one-way ball clutch 282 comprising a ball race 283'formed' in the roller 28| and a cam` Wheel 284 which is.l attached by screws 285 to a cover p'l'ate 266'. The plate 286 is jourrialed on a shaft. 281 which loosely carries. the roller 28|. A plurality of balls or rollersy 288 are seated within the ball race 283 for engagementwith the `cam wheel "28.'4 (Fig. 5)` andare held by springs 2.83 in lockg ing position so thatwhenthe cam wheel is rotated inl one direction the rollerl 2.311 is locked thereto and rotates therewith. The roller 28| isautomat.- ically released when the cam lwheel 284 isrotated inthe other direction by the balls 288 riding up on the camv4 surface of the cam wheel against the arrangement being such. that-step-.by-step feeding movement of the vroller 28|' is effected `byoperation of the. arm|8`6. y Forppreventing. reverse rotation of the `roller 28| during the return strokeof theplate 286 a second one-way ball clutch 3001s provided which is formed by a ball race 38| (Fig. 6) attached t0 the roller 28| and cooperating. with al cam. Wheel 302 which. is pinned `to the shaft 281 and` to a bracket 303 attached to1 the traine of the ma.- chine. A plurality r of bal-ls or: rollers 304 are mountedin the ball race.. 30|, and arehnormally held in locking position by springs-305, the arrangement being such. that the balls 304 lock the roller 28| `against reverse: rotation during the return strokes of ,the plate 286. Y

The rollers 280 and 28| are caused to .Operate in unison by cooperating spur gears.Y 310 and 3H respectively, which are attached thereto as shown Theroller 280 shaft 315 which is mounted in suitable eccentrics in brackets 303 (Fig. 4). A lever 3|6 is attached to the shaft l3 I5 and is normally heldin operative `position by la spring 3|1 (Figs. 1 4). When the lever 3|6 is raised against tension of the spring 3|1 the `shaft 3|5 israised slightly dile tothe eccentric mounting thereof, thereby vproviding lclearance between the rollers 280 and 28| to permit the strip I|6 to be threaded therebe tweem Feed release mechanism `nism is providedY which comprises a finger 320 (Figs. "3) formed on an arm 3|9 which is pivoted by a p in 32| to :an arm 322. The arm 3221715. pivoted by a.. pin 3123 to the bracket aus, The finger 320 is normally held downwardly by a spring 324 which is anchored between an ear 325 formed on the arm 3| 9 and an ear 326 on the arm 322. l

`The arm 319 is also provided with a shoulder 3'30 which is adapted to be engaged by a pawl 33| formed on a lever 332 which is journaled on the pin 323.V The lever 332 carries a roller 334 `which bears against a cam surface 335 on the head |21'. 'I'he roller'3`34 is normally held against said cam surface by a spring 336.

- When a cap is at the stage preceding the anvil is mounted for rotation on .a

IIS, at which anvil it is to receive the spot, the finger 320 strikes the shell I I and is held thereby in a raised position as shown in Fig. 2, thereby bringing the shoulder 330 out of alignment with the pawl 33|. In this position the pawl rocks freely in response to the vertical reciprocating movement of head |21 without affecting the feeding movement of the spot strip and the staple strip.

When a cap is not in position to receive a spot, however, the nger 320 drops down into the position shown in Fig. 3, whereupon the shoulder 330 is engaged by the paWl 33|, thereby locking the lever 332 to the arm 322 as shown in Figs. 3 and 23, so that rocking movement of the lever 332 when the head |21 is elevated causes the arm 322 to be depressed.

For interrupting the feeding movement of the roller 28| an arm 345 is provided (Fig. 23) having a roller 346 which is adapted to engage an arcuate surface 341 formed on the arm 322. The arm 345 is pivoted by a pin 348 which is carried by the plate 286 and extends through an elongated slot 349 in a plate 350 (Fig. 24) Which is journaled on the shaft 281. The plate 350 is provided with a pin 35| which is engaged by a slot 352 in the arm 345 for causing a slight rotational movement of the plate 350 when the arm 345 is actuated by engagement of the arm 322 with the roller 346.

The plate 350 carries pins 355 which extend through slots 356 in the cover plate 286 in a position to contact the balls 288. The plate 350 is normally held in a position such that the pins 355 are out of engagement with the balls 288 as shown in Fig. 5. For this purpose a spring 351 is provided (Fig. 24) which is anchored between pin 358 carried by the plate 350 and a pin 359 carried by the plate 286 which extends through a slot 360 in the plate 350.

When the arm 345 is depressed the plate 350 is shifted to a position such that pins 355 engage the balls 288 and retract the same against the tension of the springs 289 so as to release the clutch mechanism, whereupon the cover plate 286 Y -is free to oscillate without causing corresponding movement of the cam wheel 284 and of the roller 28|. Thus the feed of the spot strip material is stopped.

The arm 322 is attached to an arm 340 which is secured by a link 34| to the latch |80 in such a manner that when the arm 322 is depressed the latch |80 is brought out of engagement with the surface |19 and permits the rod 8| to reciprocate without causing feeding movement of the arm |14 and the block |66 which is actuated thereby, thus stopping the feed of the staple strip.

Operation In the operation of the above-described machine the caps I3, With the cushion liners I2 secured therein, are fed to the guides 2 and 3 at the right of Fig. 1 by suitable means such as a hopper, not shown.

The caps are then advanced through the machine step by step by means of the feed comb I which is given a feeding movement by the eccentric pins 23. The fingers I6 of the comb I5 enter between the shells of adjacent caps for properly spacing and feeding the same through the machine.

As the caps advance through the machine a lm of filler material is applied thereto by transfer plungers 3|. These transfer plungers are mounted on the wheel and are rotated by the ratchet movement comprising the feed dog 14 and associated mechanism shown in Figs. 20 and 21. The feed dog 14 is oscillated byv means of the link 86 which is attached to the crosshead 93 and actuated by the eccentric pin 23. The dog 14 is retracted from the starY Wheel 12 by means of the arm |60 which is actuated by the bell crank lever |84 driven by the pin I|0 engaging camslot III in the cam wheel 2|. The( arrangement is such that the dogf14 is in driving relationship with the star wheel during its feeding stroke but is retracted during its return stroke. v Y v The transfer wheel 30 is driven stepby'step in synchronism with the lfeed movement-of the caps so that the successive transfer plungers 3| engage successive caps as they advance past the transfer station. The plungers 3| contact the surface of the roller 50 which is rotatedV in the reservoir 40' and carries a surface film of filler material. This filler' may comprise any suitable gummy or other self-sealing material which is adapted to seal any holes which maybe formedA in the spot I I5 by the staples and may have some adhesive propertiesv if desired. By the means described above a film of filler is applied to the cusln'on liners |2 in the position which is` to receive the spot of aluminum foil. Y

The strip of aluminum foil or the like IIS is fed through the machine by the feed rollers 280 and 28| which are advanced step by step by the one-way ball clutch mechanism driven by the rel ciprocating rod 296. 'I'he rod 296 is driven through the arm |86 by the cam wheel i90. The staple strip |65 is fed to the machine at the same time by means of the blocks |66 and |96 which are given an oscillating movement by the arm |14. The arm |14 is actuated by the latch from the link |85 which is driven by the arm ISG actuated by the cam Wheel |52.V

When the caps are brought tothe spot receiving station the outer die piece |22 rst mov'es downwardly into engagement with the cushion liner I2 of the cap. The plunger |24 then punches out the disc spot from the strip I6 and positions the same on the cushion liner. While the spot is thus held down and under pressure by the plunger |24'a staple 241 is fed down- Wardly by the stapling plunger 26| and is caused to pierce the center spot andk to secure the same to the cushion liner.

The staples are preformed from the strip |65 by the forming punch 230 and die 23| which form the staple points, the plungers 238 which bend the points downwardly and the plunger 245 which cuts the staples from the strip. The cut staples are then fed along the block 250Y by the feeding movement of the strip so that a formed staple is always in position to be driven by the stapling plunger 26|.

In order to prevent a stop from being stamped out of the strip ||6 when no cap is in position to receive the same, a latch mechanism is provided which comprises the finger 320, which, when in a lowered position as shown in Fig.- 3 locks the arm 322 to the lever 332 so that the arm 322 is actuated by the subsequent elevation of the head |21. The actuation ofthe arm 322 causes the arm 345 to shift the balls 288 out of locking position and to release the one-Way clutch mechanism 282 thereby interrupting the feed of the spot strip II'6.

The latch |80 is alsoactuated at the same time to interrupt the feed of the stapling strip |65. The stapling plunger 26| andv the spot plunger |211 are accordingly permitted to` continue in operation without applying further spots or staples until a cap is again brought into position to receive the same. When this occursthe finger 32a isf elevated;. thereby releasing the arm 3212=andreengaging the latch |80 so as to permit the feed mechanism" toresume operation. This operation also releases the one-way ball clutch 2'821 and permits the spot strip feedl mechanism toresume operation.

It vv-ill be noted thatV inf the above-described apparatus the spot oi' metal' foil orthe like is applied to the cushion liner`` by mechanical means. Consequently it-isA permanently held in position sothat the caps1may be stored for long. periods of time if desired' without danger of lthe spot'slooseningfor coming o. Any holes which may be formed` in the sp'ots-l'ayr the staples are effectively sealedI by the-A ller material'whichL is appliedV by the transfer plunger-sl Bill. vThe filler material may have some adhesive effectl for assisting-inholdingthe edgeslofthe spot against th'ellner. In the usualfoperatiorif, however, using spots of aluminum" foil' or thellike having a thickness offabout;.0(l2f", thespots possess sufficient rigidity and stinessllto retai'nf their 'position44 on the: liner and tri-prevent the edgesfrom turning up.` i

It is to be noted in this connection that the spot' is of' suoli dimension that' it is practically impossibleA for theY edges of" another cap t'o-come inlcontact with" theiwed'ge of the spot even when ai quantity of caps are tumbledv in a hopper. Consequently the edges `ofthe spotsa-re protected against mechanical disturbance which would tondi to bend or. flexfthem.` f

The staples ofcour-se are* made of a material 'W-lichL does not deleteriously affect the contents of` the bottle to4 be cappedt andi' are preferably made ofthe same material-as the spot itself. In the-above fexamplethe staplesmay be made from an aluminum strip material so that la com-plete aluminum surface ispresented to the contents of thelbottle; Thebent--u'nder points of the staples securelyhold* the same inl the: cushion liner an'd prevent the l staples orthe spots-- from becoming loosened-in use. This stapling action also' results in constant pressure being` exerted between the spot and the cushion liner so asrtof maintain a pressure contact whichfprevents' leakage of: liquids-under the spot.,

The aboVe-describedmachine maybe operated at* comparatively high speeds and l provides a cheap;- eflcien'tA and commercially" practicable means for applying spots' to' crown'- caps. In certain'- instancesit'is unnecessary to apply;v the nller material toL the liner before thespot' isafiixe'd;` inwhich'- eventI the transfer Wheel 3D1 and associ-` ated" apparatus may" befomitted; It has been found; however, that. this nllermateriali atleast over the areay occupiedVV by thestaple, improves thef characteristics of the n'ishe'd"'cap.`

T-liespot lillmaylcover the entirecush'ionliner IZor mayi'belocatedfonly at the'cent'er?, leaving the liner exposed at-thel pointsofcontact-with the bottle rim in accordance-iwith standardlpractice where center spots are required:

t will be notedthatfthespo'tiis held down underpressure while the' staple isi beingv applied,v thereby preventing' wrinkles? ori dishing; The staple also holds-` the' spot in' pressure@ engagemerli; witnthenner, af feat-ure which cannot-rbc obtained' by use of adhesivesalone'for securingthe-spot.` Y

It' is to' bel understood that-other mechanical securing means such as rivets, tacks or the like may be used in place of the staples shown herein without departing from' the broader aspects of the invention. Furthermore the staples Amay be preformed and fed from a hopper or from a stack or strip of formed staples if desired.v

Although a specific embodiment of the inventionl has been shown for purposes of illustration it is to be understood that the invention is capable of various uses and that changes and modifications may be made therein as will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art. The invention is only `to be limited in accordance with the Scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A machine f-or applying spots to caps of the crown typehaving a shell and a cushion liner, comprising means for feeding said caps past a spot applying station. means at said station to supply and position said spots on the cushion liners of said caps, means for holding said spots in position thereon, and means at said station operable subsequent to the operation of said holding means for inserting a mechanical securing means through said Spot and cushion hner to secure said spots to said liners while thespot is so held in position.

2. A machine for applying spots to capsof the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, comprising means for feeding said caps to a Spot applying station, means to feed a strip of spot material to said station, means to` punch aspot from said strip at said station, means at said station synchronized with said feed means to insert said spot on the cushion liner of a cap, means at said station for inserting a mechanical securing means through said spot and said cushion liner for permanently securing said spot' thereto, and mechanism operatively connected to said spot inserting means and said'securing means insorting means to operate said two means successively.`

3. A machine for applying spots to'caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, comprising means for feeding said caps to aA spot applying station, means for feeding a strip of spot material to said station, die means to punch Iout a spot from said material and to apply the same to the cushion liner of avcapfsaid die means having means for holding said spot in position on said liner, and means for inserting a mechanical securing means through said spot and said cushion hner While said spot is so held in position by said holding means.

el. A machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, comprising means for feeding said caps to aspot applying station, means for applying a spotwto said cushion liner at said station, stapling means for inserting a staple through said spot and said liner for permanently securing said spot in position, and mechanism operatively connected to said applying and stapling means to operate such means successively.

v5. A machine for applying spots tocaps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner; comprising means for feeding said caps to a spot applying station, means at saidstation for applying a spot to said cushion liner, stapling means comprising a stapling plunger, feed means supplying staples to the path of said plunger, means actuating said plunger for driving said staples through said spot and said cushion liner, means engaging theback of the cap shell and cooperatof the staple over to thereby securely lock the spot in position and to maintain said spot in pressure contact with said cushion liner, and mechanism operatively connected to said applying and stapling means to operate such means successively.

6. A machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, comprising means for feeding said caps to a spot applying station, means for feeding a strip of spot material to said station, die means at said station for stamping out a spot from said strip and applying same to said cushion liner, stapling means at said station adapted to drive staples through said spot and said cushion liner for permanently securing said spot in place, and mechanism operatively connected to said applying and stapling means to operate such means successively.

7. A machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, comprising means for feeding said caps to a spot applying station, means for feeding a strip of spot material to said station, die means at said station for stamping out a spot from said strip and applying same to said cushion liner, stapling means at said station comprising a stapling plunger, means for feeding staples to the path of said plunger, and means actuating said plunger to drive said staple through said spot and said liner, and mechanism operatively connected to said applying and stapling means to operate such means successively.

8. A machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, comprising means for feeding a row of caps to a plurality of operating stations of said machine, means at one of said stations to apply a lm of filler material to said cushion liner, means at another of said stations to apply a spot to said cushion liner over said filler material, and means to insert a mechanical securing means through said spot and said cushion liner for permanently securing said spot in place.

9. A machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, comprising means for feeding a row of caps to a plurality of operating stations of said machine,

means at one of said stations to apply a lm of filler material to said cushion liner, means at another of said stations to apply a spot to said cushion liner over said ller material, and stapling means adapted to drive a staple through said spo-t, said film and said cushion liner for per manently securing said spot in place. f

10. A machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, comprising means for feeding a row of caps to a plurality of operating stations of said machine, means at one of said stations to apply a film of filler material to said cushion liner, means at another of said stations to apply a spot to said cushion liner over said filler material, means for holding said spot in position on said cushion liner, and means for driving a mechanical securing means through said spot, said film and said liner while said spot is so held in position.

1l. A machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, comprising means for feeding a row of caps to a plurality of operating stations of said machine, means at one of said stations to apply a film of ller material to said cushion liner, means at another of said stations to apply a spot to said cushion liner over said filler material, means for holding said spot in position on said cushion liner, and stapling means for inserting a staple through said center spot,- said film and said cushion liner While said spot is so held in position.

12. A machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, comprising a pair of guide rails forming a track on which said caps are supported for feeding movement through said machine, feed means comprising a reciprocating member having fingers adapted to be inserted between successive caps for spacing and progressively feeding the same, a ller applying means comprising a reservoir for liquid ller material, a roller rotating in said reservoir for picking up a surface film of said material, transfer means transferring said film to said cushion liners as the caps are progressively advanced by said feed means, means for positioning a spot on said cushion liner over said filler material, and means operable on a cap held by said reciprocating member for inserting a mechanical securing means through Ysaid spot, said film and said cushion liner for permanently securing said spot in place.

13. A machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner,

comprising a pair of guide rails forming a track on which said caps are supported for feeding movement through said machine, feed means comprising a reciprocating member having fingers adapted to be inserted between successive caps for spacing and progressively feeding the same, a ller applying means comprising a reservoir for liquid filler material, a roller rotating in said f reservoir for picking up a surface lm of said material, a transfer wheel having a plurality of transfer plungers adapted to successively wipe the surface of said roller for picking up a coating of said material, means actuating said transfer wheel in synchronism with the feed of said caps, said last means causingrsuccessive Vplungers to contact the cushion liners of successive caps for transferring said filler material thereto, means for applying a spot to said cushion liner over said filler material, and means operable on a cap held by said reciprocating member for inserting a mechanical securing means through said spot and through said cushion liner for permanently securing said spot in position.

14. A machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner,

comprising a pair of guide rails forming a track on which said caps are supported for feeding movement through said machine, feed means L comprising a reciprocating member having ngers adapted to be inserted between successive caps for spacing and progressively feeding the same, a ller applying means comprising a reservoir for liquid filler material, a roller rotating in said reservoir for picking up a surface film of said material, a transfer wheel having a plurality of transfer plungers adapted to successively wipe the surface of said roller for picking up a coating of said material thereon, means actuating said transfer wheel in synchronism with the feed of said caps, said last means causing successive plungers to contact the cushion liners of successive caps for transferring said filler material thereto, means for feeding a strip of spot material to a spot applying station, die means for punching a spot from said strip, said die means beingv adapted to insert said spot on said cushion liner over said ller materiaLrand means operable on a cap held by said reciprocating member atA said station for inserting a mechanical Vsecuring means comprising a pair of guide rails forming a track on which said caps are supported for feeding movement through said machine, feed means comprising a reciprocating member having fingers adapted to be inserted betwee-n successive i it of transfer plungers adaptedto successively wipe 'l the surface of said roller for picking up a coating of said material, means actuating saidtransfer wheel in synchronism with the 'feed of said'caps, said last means causing successive plungers lto contact the liners of successive caps fortransferring said ller material thereto, means for feeding a strip of spot material to aspot applying station, dic-means for punching a spot from'said strip, said die means being adapted to insert said spot on said cushion liner over said filler ma` terial, means for holding said spot in position on said liner, and means operable onal cap held by said reciprocating member for driving a mechanical securing means through said spot and through said cushion liner while'saidspot is held said plunger for stamping out a spot from said strip material and positioning the same on said liner within said outer annular die member, a longitudinal channel in said plunger providing a guide channel for a staple, means for feeding a staple thereto, and a stapling plunger operating in said channel to drive said staple through said spot and through said cushion liner while said first plunger holdssaid spot in place.

17. Ina machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, a die having means for stamping out a spot from a strip of spot material and for inserting the same on said cushion liner, a stapling plunger associated with said die to drive a staple through said spot and through said cushion liner, a staple forming mechanism adapted to form said staples, means' for feeding a strip for staple material to said staple forming mechanism, and means for feeding the formed staples from said staple forming mechanism to said stapling plunger.

18. In a machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, means for inserting a spot on said liner, a stapling plunger adapted to drive a staple through said spot and said liner, staple forming means for forming staples from a strip of staple material comprising cutting members adapted to cut staple points, a forming member adapted to bend said points downwardly, a second cutting member adapted to cut apart the individual staples, and means for feeding said staples to a position to be driven by said stapling plunger.

19, In a machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type havinga shelland cushion Y of the crowntype having" a shell and a cushion liner., means for feeding a strip -of spot material, means for feeding a strip of staple material, die means to punch a spot from said spot material and to position the same on said cushion liner, cutting means tov cut staples from said staple material, and stapling means to drive said staples through said spot and through said cushion liner". A20,.r In a machine for applyingspotsto caps of the crown type having a shell andA a cushion liner, means for feeding a strip of spot material, means for feeding a strip of staple 'materialfdie means to punch a spot from said spot material andto position the same onsaid Vcushion liner, cutting means to cut staples f romisaid staple material, staplmgmeans todrive said staples through said spot and through said cushion liner, andmeans for interrupting the feeding of both of Vsaidstrips except when a cap is" inposition to receive a spot. f f f l j2`1.`In a machine for "applying spots to `caps liner,means for "forming, said spots, means for insertngfthe same on said "cushion liner, stapling means to drive the staplethrough said spot and Vthrough saidcushion liner, -staple forming means,

f of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, means for forming 'saidf spots, means for inserting the same on said cushion liner, stapling means to driv thestapleothrough` said spot and l means comprising upper and lower blocks, means causing said blocks to reciprocate in alternate feed and return strokes, means causing said blocks to clamp said strip material during said feed strokes, means causing said blocks to release said strip material during said return stroke, and means for clamping said material during said return stroke to thereby prevent re verse feeding thereof.

23. In a machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, means for forming said spots, means for insertingthe same on said cushion liner, stapling means to drive the staple through said spot and through said cushion liner, staple forming means, means for feeding a strip of staple material to said staple forming means, said feeding means comprising upper and lower blocks, drive means causing said blocks toreciprocate in alternate feed and return strokes, means causing said blocks to clamp said strip material during said feed strokes, means causing said blocks to release said strip material during said return strokes, and cap actuated means operable in the absence of a cap in spot receiving position to interrupt the feed movement of said blocks,

24. In a machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, means for forming saidspots, means for inserting the same on said cushion liner, stapling means to drive the staple through said spot and through said cushion liner, staple forming means, means for feeding a strip of staple material to said staple forming means, said feeding means comprising upper and lower blocks, drive means causing said blocks to reciprocate in alternate feed and return strokes, means causing said blocks to clamp said strip material during said feed strokes, means causing said blocks to release said strip material during said return strokes, a reciprocating drive means, latch means connecting said drive means to said first drive means to impart feed movement to said blocks, and cap actuated means operable in the absence of a cap in spot receiving position to release said latch means so as to interrupt the feed movement of said blocks.

25. In a machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, means for forming said spots, means for inserting the same on said cushion liner, stapling means to drive the staple through said spot and through said cushion liner, staple forming means, means for feeding a strip of staple material to said staple forming means, said feeding means comprising upper and lower blocks, drive means causing said blocks to reciprocate in alternate feed and return strokes, means causing said blocks to clamp said strip material during said feed strokes, means causing said blocks to release said strip material during said return strokes, a reciprocating drive means, latch means connecting said drive means to said first drive means to impart feed movement to said blocks, and cap actuated means operable in the absence of a cap in spot receiving position to release said latch means so as to interrupt the feed movement of said blocks, said cap actuated means comprising a nger adapted to engage and be elevated by a cap in spot receiving position.

216. In a machine for applying spots to a cap of the crown cap having a shell and a cushion liner, means for inserting a spot on said liner, a stapling plunger to drive a staple through said spot completely and through said cushion liner, a staple forming mechanism adapted to lform said staples, means for feeding a strip of staple material to said staple forming mechanism, and means for feeding the formed staples from said staple forming mechanism to said stapling plunger. Y Y

Y 27. A machine for applying spots to caps of the crown type having a shell and a cushion liner, comprising means for feeding said caps to a spot applying station, means atsaid station to supply and insert a spot on the cushion liner of a cap, means at said station for insertinga mechanical securing means through said spot Yand said cushion Vliner for permanently securing said spot thereto, and mechanism operatively connected to said spot inserting means and saidsecuring'means inserting means to operate said two means successively.

28. A machine for applying spotsltocaps of Y the crown type having a shell kand a cushion liner, comprising means for feeding said capsgto a spot applying station, means at said Vstation for applying a spot to said cushion liner, Vstapling means comprising a stapling plunger, feed means supplying staples having legs of a length greater than the combined thickness of the cushion liner and spot to the path of said plungerpmeans actuating said plunger for driving said staples through said spot and said cushion liner, means engaging the back of the cap shell andcooperatingrwith said stapling plunger to bend the ends of the legs of the staple over by engagement with the cap shell to thereby securely lock the spotin position and to maintain said spot in pressure contact With said cushion liner, and mechanism opera- 

